A HOUSE prosecutor asserted on Tuesday that the Senate does not need a special session to convene as an impeachment court to hear the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, emphasizing that the Constitution mandates the trial to proceed immediately.
San Juan Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora, a lawyer, said the Senate, by constitutional mandate, is already an impeachment court even during recess and that there is no need for the President to call for a special session.
“As to that, we don’t need a special session because the Constitution is clear that trial shall forthwith proceed. For us, the Senate is already the impeachment court even if it is on recess,” Zamora, a member of the 11-man House prosecution panel, said.
She also defended President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.’s decision not to intervene, citing the separation of powers between the branches of government.
“The executive is a separate branch of government; thus it is right for the President not to call for a special session,” she added.
House Assistant Majority Leader Jil Bongalon of Ako Bicol Party-list underscored that the House has not yet received a copy of the petition reportedly filed by the Vice President’s camp to challenge the impeachment proceedings.
“We have not yet received a copy of the order, but definitely we will comply. We are confident that the Supreme Court will not intervene,” Bongalon, a lawyer who is also a member of the House prosecution panel, said.
Meanwhile, 1RIDER Partylist Rep. Rodge Gutierrez, also a lawyer and another member of the House prosecution team, pointed out that the Palace’s stance on the special session aligns with its earlier statements regarding the impeachment process.
“This seems to be consistent with the Palace’s first pronouncements on the possibility of calling for a special session,” Gutierrez said.
He reiterated that the responsibility of convening as an impeachment court lies solely with the Senate, in accordance with the Constitution.
“But in any case, if we look at the Constitution, this is a responsibility that primarily falls on the Senate. We respectfully and eagerly anticipate the Senate’s action on this matter,” Gutierrez added.
The House prosecution panel remains ready to present its case against the Vice President once the Senate convenes to begin the trial.
